SURREY County Councillors received more than £1.4 million in allowances and expenses last year.

A total of £1,330,678 was paid in allowances and councillors received £85,632 in expenses, which includes travel and refreshments.

The councillor who received the highest sum was leader and representative for Tandridge, David Hodge, who was given £42,291 in 2012/13, an increase of £5,473 from the £36,818 the previous year.

This was followed by deputy leader, Cllr Peter Martin, representative for Waverley, who received £34,291, an increase of £3,014 from 2011/12. He also received the most in terms of travel and subsidence of £4,578 but this was a decrease on the previous year at £4,838.

Overall there was a 0.8% increase in the total of allowances received by councillors from £1,318,894 in 2011/12 to £1,330,678, although there was a decrease in travel and subsidence moneys paid out from £90,308 in 2011/12 to £85,632 in 2012/13.

Last year, a basic annual allowance of £11,791 was paid to each member, with special responsibility allowances also paid to those with more responsibilities. This included £27,000 for the leader and £19,500 for the deputy.

County councillors can claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles travelled by car to reach council-based commit-ments and 25p per mile for more than 10,000 miles. If they ride a motorcycle they can claim 24p per mile and there is a cycling allowance of 20p per mile.

If a councillor is more than four hours away from home, they can claim to cover food expenses, including breakfast, at £5.30 before 11am, lunch, £7.25 between noon and 2pm, tea, £2.90 between 3pm and 6pm, and dinner, £9 after 7pm.

Those who are away from home for a continuous 24-hour period on council business are entitled to £85.80 or, if in London, £97.85 to cover accommodation.

A county council spokesman said: “The basic allowance paid to all councillors is intended to recognise their time commitment in serving Surrey residents. The less than 1% increase between 2011/12 and 2012/13 reflects the changes in special responsibility allowances paid to different councillors as roles changed.

“Travel and subsistence expenses are claimed as incurred so will vary from year to year, this time councillors have reduced their expenditure by 5%.

“Value for money is at the centre of everything the council does and on occasions when trips are made or other expenses incurred it is a matter of weighing up the long-term benefits.

“Wherever possible, trips are wholly or partially paid for by external funding.”